Ismail Sirdah
1. Media exposure
2. Need to strengthen the strategic partnership
3. Opportunity to grow client baseIt is evident that any serious business that wants to raise its brand awareness must consider adding its presence on LinkedIn. Getting media exposure on the platform often sends positive vibes about a company and doesn’t’ cost much. On its part, the opportunity to foster strategic partnership through LinkedIn can help a business grow its market share. This is made possible because professionals and investors have an opportunity to find elusive alliance partners and joint venture candidates. Because of its popularity, the site also makes it easy for businesses to find customers, irrespective of their size and location.
The Headshot
At a more personal level, you can use the LinkedIn platform to market yourself, but there is a catch. First, LinkedIn offers professionals an opportunity to introduce themselves to their audience virtually. To the outside world, the first impression you give often sends signals as to whether you are an accomplished and interesting or compelling person. The four key personal marketing elements in LinkedIn, according to Forbes Magazine are; the headshot, custom headline, video and recommendations. It is important to note that adding a headshot on your profile helps you transform into a real person in the eyes of the visitors. Depending on the type of the headshot you add, the image can make it easy for people to connect with you on a more personal and emotional level. Note that your face should face forward, while “maintaining virtual eye contact” with the viewers.
According to the Huffington Post, here is a list of 5 most compelling reasons for adding a headshot photo to your LinkedIn profile:
Having a headshot on your LinkedIn profile will make it easy for other professionals, contacts and people you have met at a networking meeting or social media identify you easily. The same will happen if someone or a friend tries to locate you using the photo profiles.2. Enhance your credibility
Knowledge and good social media skills are critical in today’s marketplace. Uploading a well-written profile with a perfect headshot can make your profile stand out in the eyes of prospective employers. Profiles with no headshots often come out as outdated and fake. The recruiters in particular, would want to spend their time scrutinizing a fictitious looking profile.
3. Personal appeal
People tend to appreciate and connect easily with profiles that have a face. According to research conducted by LinkedIn, profiles with photos usually attract up to seven times more searches and clicks compared to those without photos.
4. Consistency
Growing your social media presence usually helps strengthen your social proof. If you have your headshots on various social networks, including LinkedIn you will likely be in a better position to strengthen your social media visibility and network.
5. Powerful individual branding
Personal branding can benefit a lot from having a profile photo that truly represents you and your brand. Indeed, your professional social visibility results will be more pronounced if you decide to use the same photo across the board.
The LinkedIn headshot photo recommendations
To get you started, LinkedIn has set requirements for adding professional photos on your profile page. The recommendations are as follows:
• Take a headshot of yourself; the photo should make it easy for people to recognize you
• Add a headshot with the business-minded pose
• Avoid placing items that may cause distraction such as pets and children
Professional Photographer
A professional photographer can help you shoot and place a compelling headshot for your LinkedIn profile. Ismail Sirdah is a well known professional photographer and entrepreneur based in Miami, Florida. Most people recognize him as the founder of Ismail Photography studio, which specializes in Retail Photography, Portrait Photography, Wedding Photography and Travel Photography. Ismail began his career in photography from a very humble beginning under an experienced mentor. His very first camera was an SLR model that demanded a lot when it came to setting the lighting, shooting angle and settings. Ismail Sirdah established his photography studio in 2012. Today, he also owns a photography school, which he uses to train professional photographers of tomorrow.